HBO Orders Drama About Kidnapped Teens in Israel

HBO has given a 10-episode series order to a drama from “The Affair” and “In Treatment” co-creator Hagai Levi about the tragic events involving the disappearance of three teens that unfolded in Israel two years ago. The untitled series, which will be filmed on location in Israel next summer, is a co-production between HBO and Keshet International’s Keshet Studios. It will be primarily directed by Israeli filmmaker Joseph Cedar (“Beaufort,” “Footnote”).

Based on actual events, the drama dramatizes the tragic torrent of violence that followed the disappearance of, and intensive search for, three Israeli teens during the summer of 2014. It follows an idealistic investigator for the Shin Bet (the Israeli equivalent of the FBI) as he deals with the ramifications of violent reactions on both sides of the escalating conflict. A new command position thrusts him into a confrontation that undermines his faith and worldview, leading to a dramatic conflict between his values and the actions of those closest to him.

Co-produced by HBO and KI’s Keshet Studios, the untitled drama will be produced by Movie Plus and distributed internationally by KI. Levi, Stollman and Lombardo will all serve as executive producers with Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman, Karni Ziv and Rachel Kaplan of Keshet, Peter Traugott and Joseph Cedar.